Sebastiano Baldini Explained

Sebastiano Baldini (1615–1685) was a satirical Roman poet, librettist for almost every composer operating in Rome at that time,^[1] and a secretary to a series of cardinals. The most important was Flavio Chigi.^[2] For his literary qualities and for his good humor he was well received by the aristocracy and Roman cultural circles. Christina, Queen of Sweden, based a scenario on one of his poems,^[3] and Alessandro Stradella based his 1677 serenata Il Damone on it.

He was a member of various academies, including those of literary humorists in Rome and Pesaro (founded in 1645).^[4] Baldini was drawn by Pier Francesco Mola.^[5]

Bibliography

• Giorgio Morelli: Sebastiano Baldini. Le poesie per musica nei codici della Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Rome, Istituto di bibliografia musicale, 2000,,

Notes and References

1. Aspects of the secular cantata in late Baroque Italy by Michael Talbot https://books.google.com/books?id=TIQ2ww3tN44C&dq=%22Sebastiano+Baldini%22+poet&pg=PA4
2. https://books.google.com/books?id=5mWzyZasby4C&dq=%22Sebastiano+Baldini%22+poet&pg=PR15 Complete cantatas by Atto Melani
3. Aspects of the secular cantata in late Baroque Italy by Michael Talbot https://books.google.com/books?id=TIQ2ww3tN44C&dq=%22Sebastiano+Baldini%22+poet+Christina&pg=PA23
4. Giorgio Morelli, "Sebastiano Baldini", in Strenna dei romanisti, XXXIX, 1978, p. 262
5. http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4819095 The poet Baldini drinking in Melosi's bar